Where did Win + R go on a laptop: where to look and how to use it

You are trying to open the window "Run" on your laptop, but you can’t find the desired combination Win + R? Or key Win missing from your keyboard at all? This problem is familiar to many users of compact devices - from ultrabooks Dell XPS to gaming laptops ASUS ROG. The point is not a breakdown, but rather the design features of keyboards from different manufacturers.

In this article we will figure out where exactly the combination is hidden Win + R on laptops of various brands, why it is sometimes difficult to find, and how to open the window "Run" alternative ways. And we’ll also reveal 5 little-known Run commands that will make working with Windows 10/11 easier.

Where is the Win key on a laptop: search by brand

Key Win (with the Windows logo) on laptops can be located in different places - it all depends on the manufacturer and model. Most often it can be found:

• 🔹Between Ctrl And Alt (classic layout on most keyboards)
• 🔹 To the left of Space (on compact laptops, for example, Lenovo IdeaPad)
• 🔹 In the lower right corner (rare, but found on some HP Pavilion)
• 🔹 Combined with Fn (on ultrabooks Apple MacBook with Boot Camp or Acer Swift)

If you don't see a separate key Win, check:

1. Does your keyboard have a small Windows logo on one of the buttons (for example, Fn or Alt).
2. Is the key disabled in the BIOS (relevant for some models MSI And Gigabyte).
3. Isn't there a special keyboard mode (For example, Game Mode on gaming laptops).

Why Win + R doesn't work: 4 main reasons

If you press Win + R, but the window "Run" does not open, the problem may lie in the following:

The problem especially often occurs after updating Windows or installing new software. For example, users HP Omen complain that the combination stops working after installing proprietary software OMEN Command Center.

How to open Run without Win + R: 5 alternative methods

If the combination Win + R doesn't work, use one of these methods:

• 🖱️ Through the menu Start:
  1. Click Start (or key Win).
  2. Enter in search Execute.
  3. Select an application from the results.
• 📁 Through Explorer:

  Follow the path C:\Windows\System32\ and run the file cmd.exe, then enter the command start runDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL.

• 🔧 Via task manager:
  1. Click Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Select File -> Run new task.
  3. Enter explorer shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}.

For users Windows 11 there is another way: click Win + X, then select Execute from the context menu. This method works even if the key Win blocked.

Press Win + R in a text editor (a window should open)|Try Win + E (File Explorer should open)|Test the Win key separately (it should open the Start menu)|Run a command prompt and type `shutdown /a` (if it works, the key is working)-->

Hidden commands for the Run window: top 5 useful ones

Window "Run" is not only a way to launch programs, but also a powerful tool for quick access to system functions. Here 5 teamsthat will save your time:

On laptops Lenovo Legion And ASUS TUF team msinfo32 will help you quickly obtain complete information about the hardware - this is convenient for diagnostics before overclocking or updating the BIOS.

Win + R on MacBook and other non-standard laptops

On laptops Apple MacBook running Windows (via Boot Camp) key Win is replaced by Command (⌘). To open "Run", use:

• 🍎 Command (⌘) + R - the main combination.
• 🍎 Fn + Control + Option + R - if the first does not work (depending on Boot Camp settings).

On laptops with Chrome OS (For example, Google Pixelbook) or Linux window "Run" is missing, but its analogue can be launched via the terminal:

xdg-open .

For Ubuntu or Fedora The command will also work:

gnome-open /

On hybrid devices (for example, Microsoft Surface) key Win may be touch sensitive - check its response in the menu Settings → Devices → Touch keyboard.

How to set up your own shortcut for Run

If you are uncomfortable using Win + R, you can reassign hotkeys with:

• 🛠️ AutoHotkey (free utility for creating scripts):

#r::Run "explorer shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}"

This script will bind the window "Run" to combination Win + R, even if it was disabled.

• 🖧 PowerToys (official utility from Microsoft):

In the module Keyboard Manager can be reassigned Win + R for any other combination, for example, Ctrl + Alt + Space.

On laptops Razer Blade or Alienware There are proprietary utilities for setting keys (for example, Razer Synapse or Alienware Command Center). In them you can not only reassign Win + R, but also create macros for automatically entering commands.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with Win + R Users often encounter common errors:

⚠️ Attention: If after entering the command in the window "Run" error appears Windows cannot find 'command'. Make sure the name is entered correctly, check:

• 📝 Correct spelling (case is not important, but spaces and symbols are).
• 🔍 Availability of a file or program at the specified path (for example, notepad.exe must be in C:\Windows\System32\).
• 🛡️ Access rights (some commands require running as administrator).

Another common problem is The Run window opens and closes immediately. This may happen due to:

• 🐛 Viruses or malware (check your system Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool).
• 🔄 Conflict with the Windows shell (try resetting the icon cache using the command ie4uinit -ClearIconCache).

⚠️ Attention: On some laptops (eg HP Spectre or Dell XPS 13) key Win can be disabled at the BIOS level to prevent accidental clicks. To return it, go to the BIOS (usually F2 or Del on boot) and find the option Windows Key or Hotkey Mode.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

open -a "Название программы"